Self Description Test (SDT) in SSB is a crucial psychological assessment where candidates write about how their parents, teachers, friends, and they themselves perceive them, along with the kind of person they aspire to become. This simple yet powerful test reflects a candidate’s honesty, self-awareness, and Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). A well-balanced and genuine self-description can create a strong impression, while an exaggerated or copied one can raise doubts. Learn how to write an effective SDT that aligns with your true personality and SSB expectations.
As part of the Services Selection Board (SSB) procedure, the candidates are put through a set of psychological and individual tests to examine their Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). Perhaps the most critical yet under appreciated portion of the psychological test battery is the Self Description Test (SDT). Candidates are given 15 minutes to scribble out five short paragraphs outlining :
(i) What their parents think about them.
(ii) What their teachers/employers think about them.
(iii) What their friends and colleagues think about them.
(iv) What is your own opinion about yourself (self-image).
(v) What type of person they would like to become.
On the surface, this seems like a straightforward writing exercise, yet it is very important to the psychologist’s evaluation. It is a chance for applicants to reveal their true personality, values, strengths, and weaknesses.
What Psychologists Expect in Self Description
SDT is not all about putting down what sounds good or perfect. It is all about giving a balanced and realistic picture of yourself. The psychologist applies this test to check if the traits you put down match your responses in TAT, WAT, SRT, and the interview.
Here’s what psychologists check from candidates
* Consistency : Your self-description has to be consistent with your other answers in the psychological tests. If you say that you are disciplined but your SRT answers reflect laziness, breaking rules then there is a contradiction in your personality.
* Self-Awareness : The psychologist tests whether you actually know your strengths and weaknesses. Candidates knowing their weaknesses and ready to change which demonstrate maturity.
* Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) : They look for such qualities as responsibility, team spirit, leadership, adaptability, and honesty.
* Balanced Personality : Don’t project you as “perfect man in this world.” To show honesty, acknowledge minor, non-critical weaknesses, but don’t write all positives, which is unrealistic. Because Nobody is perfect in this world.
Keep in mind : Self Description is NOT where you brag or use flowery adjectives. It’s all about you which simply and confidently projects your reality of life. So Be true
How to Write an Effective Self Description
Most candidates make the error of either copying the templates from books or penning inflated stuff which is not characteristic of the real you. This works against you during the interview because the Interviewing Officer (IO) will cross examine your self-description and probe whether indeed you have those characteristics.
This is how to create a true and effective Self Description Test :
1. Parents’ Opinion
Your parents know you since childhood, so their opinion should manifest your core personality traits such as discipline, responsibility, values, and habits.
You can list qualities such as helpful, respectful, caring, hardworking, but also indicate the area in which they tell you to work on (e.g., time management or being more focused).
Example :
“My parents believe that I am a caring and responsible kid who has respect for family values. My parents value my honesty and trust me to carry out major responsibilities at home. My parents are proud of my helpful nature but always remind me how to balance my time between studies and outdoor activities.”
2. Teachers’ / Employer’s Opinion
Teachers or employers notice your work ethic, discipline, and teamwork in a formal environment.
Reference such qualities as dedication, punctuality, curiosity to learn, and team spirit.
Include a single positive feedback point to demonstrate you are willing to improve.
Sample :
“My teachers perceive me as an honest student who is an active participant in academics and extracurricular activities. They consider me reliable to manage events and value my team spirit. Sometimes, they suggest that I should be more patient in performing multiple tasks.”
3. Opinion of Friends and Colleagues
Friends see your informal, personal side. How you behave in casual settings.
Mention qualities like helpfulness, loyalty, humor, and trustworthiness.
Avoid writing anything negative that reflects badly on your character (like being careless or rude).
Example :
“My friends enjoy being around me because I am easy-going and supportive. They like my company on my sense of humor and confide in me when they have personal issues. They find me dependable and like collaborating as a team with me since I am straightforward and optimistic.”
4. Self-Image
This is most important because it tells us how you see yourself.
Be honest and balanced state your plus points (leadership, discipline, flexibility) and a small weakness (but present it positively).
Demonstrate self-awareness and openness to improvement.
Sample :
“I am someone who works hard and always a positive thinker with a belief in ongoing development. I am disciplined, a good friend, and respect others. Sometimes I become very eagerly to continue learning new things without taking food and rest. I think, this hobbits are required to improve.
5. The Type of Person You Wish to Become
* This paragraph reveals your ambitions and vision of what your future will be.
* Tightly link it to Officer-Like Qualities and your country obligation.
* Don’t write excessive or unrealistic goals keep it real.
Example :
“I want to be a true and valued officer in the Indian Armed Forces. I wish to achieve leadership qualities, courage, and professionalism. I desire to serve my nation while becoming a sincere, disciplined, and dedicated person who inspires others.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Plagiarizing from books or memorizing generic lines. Psychologists immediately detect practice lines.
2. Writing only positives. It looks fake. Include a minor weakness (but don’t write something extreme like ‘I am lazy’).
3. Using complicated language. Keep it simple and natural; you’re not writing an essay competition.
4. Contradicting your other tests. If your SD says you’re “patient,” but your SRT shows impulsive decisions, it’s a mismatch of your personality. Which is not good for your final selection.
5. Too-long paragraphs. Be brief and to the point.
Writing Tips for SDT in SSB
Practice in advance : Type out your SD several times and edit it till it feels natural.
Time yourself out : You have only 15 minutes, so write fast but neatly and easy to understand.
Be consistent : Your SD should reflect your personality as reflected in TAT, WAT, SRT, and your interview responses.
Structure neatly : Have five individual paragraphs, each for a section.
Show improvemen t: Wherever you refer to a weakness, indicate that you are improving it.
Why Self Description Test Matters in SSB
The SDT provides the interviewing officer and psychologist with a direct insight into how you see yourself and how others see you. It enables them to judge :
* Your self-awareness – Do you know your strengths and weaknesses ?
* Your honesty – Are you writing sincerely or only producing an ideal you ?
* Your alignment with OLQs – Do your strengths align with what is required of a potential officer ?
As this test presents your actual personality, it becomes a vital component in the psychologist’s final advice.
Final Words
The Self Description Test (SDT) is more than a writing exercise in SSB. It’s a reflection of your ture personality. A well-written SD demonstrates honesty, balance, and self-knowledge. Candidates must not use memorized, flamboyant templates but write true qualities with minuscule, credible details.
If you bring sincerity, simplicity, and self-awareness to approaching SDT, it will build a strong and lasting image of you as a potential officer. A person who has some idea of who they are, where they need to get better, and what they want to do.
Also Read :
TAT in SSB Explained : How to Write Impactful Stories That Show Officer-Like Qualities”
Best Way to Deal with SSB Personal Interview
Picture Perception And Description Test (PPDT)
SSB Word Association Test (WAT): Purpose, Format and Top Tips
